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Bad Ethics, Good Ethics and the Genetic Engineering of Animals in Agriculture

Author

Rollin, Bernard E.

Bibliographic Citation

Journal of Animal Science. 1996 Mar; 74(3): 535-541.

Abstract

Genetic engineers have been remiss in addressing ethical and social
issues emerging from this powerful new technology, a technology whose,
implications for agriculture are profound. As a consequence of this failure,
society has been uneasy about genetic engineering of animals and has had
difficulty distinguishing between genuine and spurious ethical issues the
technology occasions. Many of the most prominent concerns do not require a
serious response. On the other hand, concerns about a variety of possible
risks arising from genetic engineering of animals require careful
consideration and dialogue with the public. Such concerns are an admixture of
ethics and prudence. A purely ethical challenge, however, hitherto not
addressed, is represented by problems of animal welfare that arise out of
genetically engineering agricultural animals. A principle of "conservation of
welfare" is suggested as a plausible moral rule to guide such genetic
engineering.